Responding to President Obama’s instructions at a White House press conference, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) on Friday said he was preparing a bill for an up-or-down vote should talks with Republicans fail this weekend:
“We had a productive meeting at the White House, and I am hopeful that we will be able to avoid the fiscal cliff. At President Obama’s request, I am readying a bill for a vote by Monday that will prevent a tax hike on middle–class families making up to $250,000, and that will include the additional, critical provisions outlined by President Obama. In the next twenty-four hours, I look forward to hearing any good-faith proposals Senator McConnell has for altering this bill.”